Pliers

ABSTRACT

A pliers-like tool comprising a pair of pivotably connected lever members each having an elongated handle section and a jaw section, at least one of the handle sections being formed with a recessed portion, plunger means disposed at least in part within the recessed portion and engageable with the other of the handle sections for resisting pivotal movement of the handle sections toward one another, spring means resiliently urging the plunger means outwardly from the recessed portion, means cooperable with the plunger means for limiting outward movement thereof with respect to the recessed portion, means defining annular bores in each of the lever members a pivot pin extending through the bores and thereby pivotably connecting the same, with the pivot pin and the bores being dimensioned such that the pivot pin is received with a press fit in one of the bores and with a slip fit in the other of the bores.

United States Patent 14 Mar. 14, 1972 Rozmus [54] PLIIERS [72] Inventor: Walter J. Rozmus, Hubbardsville, NY. [73] Assignee: Utica Tool Company lnc., Orangeburg,

[22] Filed: Dec. 4, 1968 [21] Appl. No.: 781,019

[52] US. Cl. ..8l/4l6 [51] Int. Cl ....B25b 7/06 [58] FieldoESearch ..81/415,416,417

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,611,288 9/1952 Schiffbauer ..8l/4l6 2,939,215 6/1960 Putsch et a1 ..81/4l6 X Primary Examiner-Travis S. McGehee Attorney-Harness, Dickey & Pierce ABSTRACT A pliers-like tool comprising a pair of pivotably connected lever members each having an elongated handle section and a jaw section, at least one of the handle sections being formed with a recessed portion, plunger means disposed at least in part within the recessed portion and engageable with the other of the handle sections for resisting pivotal movement of the handle sections toward one another, spring means resiliently urging the plunger means outwardly from the recessed por tion, means cooperable with the plunger means for limiting outward movement thereof with respect to the recessed portion, means defining annular bores in each of the lever members a pivot pin extending through the bores and thereby pivotably connecting the same, with the pivot pin and the bores being dimensioned such that the pivot pin is received with a press fit in one of the bores and with a slip fit in the other of the bores.

5 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PTTEDMAR M I972 3., 8 '5 5 O SHEET 1 OF 3 INVENTOR.

W: MAR W I972 SHEET 3 OF 3 INVENTOR.

M/far 1X %zm-a FLIIERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the manufacture of cutting pliers, it is extremely desirable that the cutting edges of the plier be machined, for example, as by grinding, after the plier components are heat treated. However, this is virtually impossible to accomplish, at least from an economical standpoint, after the plier components have beenjoined together or assembled due to the difficulty in supporting and maneuvering the pliers relative to the grinding or similar type tool utilized in the machining operations. In order to obviate the difficulties involved in machining the pliers parts after they have been assemblied, it has been the practice in the pliers industry to heat treat the pliers prior to assembly. It has been found that it is of no particular problem to grind or machine the pliers cutting edges before assembly and after heat treating, provided proper tooling is used. The problem, however, has been how to connect or rivet the pliers components together when the rivet or pivot pin itself must be of a hardened material.

The pliers tool of the present invention provides a new and improved design which is intended to overcome the above problems through the provision of a pivot pin which may be prehardened preparatory to installation thereof, and which is adapted to be received within aligned bores formed in the pliers parts or halves in a manner such that one end of the pin is press fitted into the bore of one plier half and received with a slip fit in the bore of the remaining plier half. The advantages evolving from such a design are many, not the least of which are the elimination of hand filing and stoning operations; the elimination of hammering operations heretofore required to break the pivotal joints loose after heat treating operations, and the elimination of scale and other undesirable contaminates accumulating on the pliers as a result of the heat treating operations. Thus, the present invention provides a pliers tool which may be manufactured in a considerably more economical fashion that has heretofore been possible with similar type pliers known and used in the prior art.

An additional feature of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved means for urging the pliers handle sections toward an open position. In the past, this has been accomplished through the provision of one or more leaf springs connected to one of the pliers handle sections, or the provision of a helical compression spring disposed within a recessed portion on the pliers. Such heretofore known and used arrangements have been undesirable in that the leaf springs have been constantly in the way of the pliers operator when the tool is gripped, and the heretofore known and used coil springs have usually been insecurely mounted, have tended to become an accumulator of dirt, grease and the like, and have easily become misaligned or cocked so as to render the same ineffective in normally urging the pliers handles apart.

The pliers tool of the present invention overcomes the above disadvantages through the provision of a novel spring and plunger arrangement which may be located on either or both the pliers handle sections and function to normally bias the handle sections away from one another. The plunger is of a generally cup-shaped configuration and is designed to entirely enclose the associated compression spring so as to obviate the possibility of any dirt or other contaminates accumulating thereon. Moreover, the plunger is designed so as to positively secure the spring within the associated handle section and assure against misalignment or cocking thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to hand tools and, more particularly, to a new and improved pliers-like cutting tool.

It is accordingly a general object of the present invention to provide a pliers-like cutting tool which features a new and improved pivotal joint.

It is still a more particular object of the present invention to provide a new and improved pliers design which permits assembly after heat treating and machining, thereby eliminating the necessity of hand filing, stoning, and hammering after assembly.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved plier design which permits assembly thereof by means of a prehardened rivet or pivot pin.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved pliers-like cutting tool wherein the pivot pin operatively connecting the component parts thereof may or may not be provided with an auxiliary pivotal bushing or similar antifriction means.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pliers-like tool which features a new and improved spring arrangement for biasing the handle sections thereof to an open position.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide a pliers-like tool of the above character which includes a plunger means which secures an associated compression spring to one of the handle sections of the tool, as well as preventing cocking of the spring and preventing dirt from accumulating thereon.

It is a related object of the present invention to provide a tool of the above character wherein the improved spring arrangement and associated plunger member may be provided on either or both the tool handle sections.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved pliers-like tool which is of a simple design, is easy to assemble and economical to commercially manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a top elevational view of a pliers tool constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the pliers tool illustrated in FIG. I;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view, partiallly broken away, of the structure illustrated within the circle of FIG. I;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to FIG. 3 of an alternate embodiment of the pliers tool of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a transverse cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5 of an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 7 7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 5 and illustrates another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 5 and illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. I0 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5 and illustrates still a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. II is a cross-sectional view illustrating yet another alternate embodiment of the present invention, and

FIG. I2 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5 and illustrates still another alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now in detail to the drawings, a pliers-like cutting tool It), in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown as comprising a pair of opposed handle and jaw members I2 and I4 which comprise handle sections I6, 1% and cutting jaw sections 20, 22 that define cutting edges 24land 26, respectively. The members I2 and 14 are adapted to be pivotably connected to one another by means of a pivot joint assembly, generally designated 28, embodying certain principles of the present invention,

hereinafter to be described in detail. The joint assembly 28 functions to pivotably connect the members 12 and 14 in a manner such that when the handle sections 16, 18 thereof are moved toward one another, the cutting jaw sections 20 and 22 will move to the closed position shown in FIG. 1. Similarly, when the handle sections 16, 18 are moved away from one another, the cutting jaw sections 20, 22 are moved toward an open position, as is generally well known in the art.

Located immediately rearwardly of the joint assembly 28, the members 12 and 14 are formed with opposed, substantially parallel, confronting surfaces 30 and 32 which are adapted to cooperate with a spring assembly, generally designated 34, in normally biasing the members 12 and 14 toward their respective open positions. Generally speaking, the assembly 34 comprises an annular recessed portion 36 formed in one of the surfaces 30, 32, a helical or coil type compression spring 38 and a plunger member 40, with the spring 38 and plunger 40 being at least partially received and operatively secured within the recessed portion 36 in a manner such that the plunger member 40 is resiliently urged into engagement with the other of the surfaces 30, 32 so as to selectively bias the handle sections 16 and 18 apart.

Referring now in detail to the construction of the spring assembly 34, as best seen in FIG. 3, the recessed portion 36 is shown, by way of example, as being formed in the surface 30 and defines an annular side wall 42 which is of a generally cylindrical configuration and arranged normal to the plane of the surface 30. The compression spring 38 is disposed coaxially of the recessed portion 36 and has the outer end thereof abuttingly engaged with the interior end thereof, as seen at 44. The plunger member 40 is of a generally cylindrical, cupshaped configuration and defines an annular sidewall section 46 which is arranged coaxially of the side wall 42. One end of the sidewall section 46 terminates in a generally flat abutment section 48 adapted to engage the surface 32 of the opposite handle section 18, while the opposite end of the sidewall section 46 is formed with a radially outwardly projecting section 50 which defines an annular guideway or surface portion 52 spaced slightly radially inwardly from the periphery of the sidewall 42, and a generally radially extending shoulder portion 54. The inner end of the plunger member 40 is formed with a central, axially extending bore 56 defining a radially extending shoulder 58 at the interior end thereof. The bore 56 is adapted to receive the main body of the compression spring 38, the terminal end of which is adapted to abuttingly engage the shoulder 58, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

The plunger member 40 and compression spring 38 are adapted to be operatively maintained in the respective positions illustrated in H0. 3 by means of a radially inwardly extending flange portion 60 which is formed integrally of the handle section 16 around the outer or open end of the recessed portion 36. The flange portion 60 defines an abutment surface 62 on the interior side thereof which is adapted to engage the shoulder portion 54 and thereby limit outward movement of the plunger member 40 relative to the handle section 16 under the influence of the compression spring 38. In a preferred construction of the present invention, the flange portion 60 and abutment surface 62 defined thereby are formed by an offsetting operation which may be achieved by means of an annular stamping die or similar type tool and striking a sharp blow to the portion of the handle section 16 directly circumjacent the open or outer end of the recessed portion 36, as seen at 64. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, a sharp blow exerted by such a stamping tool will cause a certain amount of the material around the opening of the recessed portion 36 to be deformed or flow radially inwardly, whereby to form the flange portions 60 and surface 62.

- In operation of the tool 10, it will be seen that the compression spring 38 normally biases the plunger member 40 from the solid line position shown in FIG. 3 to the phantom position shown in this figure, thereby biasing the handle sections 16 and 18 from the solid line position shown in FIG. 3 to their respective phantom positions. When it is desired to effect closing the tool 10, the handle sections may be manually gripped in a conventional manner and forced toward one another, whereby the surface 32 of the handle section 18 will bias the plunger member 40 axially inwardly within the recessed portion 36 against the resistance of the compression spring 38. At such time as the closing force on the handle sections l6, 18 is relieved, the compression spring 38 will force the plunger member 40 outwardly from within the recessed portion 36 and thereby bias the handle sections 16 and 18 apart. 'It will be noted that the guide portion 52 extends axially a substantial distance along the side wall 42 and thus prevents tilting or cocking of the compression spring 38 and plunger member 40. Also it will be seen that the plunger member 40 substantially encloses the outer end of the compression spring 38. thereby preventing dirt, grease and the like from accumulating on the spring 38, as well as within the recessed portion 36. Moreover, the flange section 60 and plunger member 40 positively secure the compression spring 38 within the recessed portion 36, thereby preventing inadvertent disassembly thereof.

Although the spring assembly 34 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3 as being mounted within the handle section 16, it will be readily apparent that the assembly 34 may be mounted within the handle section 18. Moreover, and as illustrated in FIG. 4, both of the handle sections 16 and 18 may be provided with one of the spring assemblies 34 when it is desired to provide a relatively large spring force acting to separate or open the handle sections 16 and 18, in which case the assemblies 34 are adapted to be oppositely aligned with one another such that the abutment sections 48 of the plunger members 40 thereof engage one another instead of engaging the surfaces 30 or 32. By virtue of the fact that each of the spring assemblies 34 provided on the handle sections l6, 18 in FIG. 4 are identical in construction and operation, to the assembly 34 hereinabove described in detail, the various component parts of the duplicate assemblies 34 are designated by the same or corresponding reference numerals, and since said construction and operation of the assemblies 34 is the same as above described, no further detailed description is believed to be necessary for a clear understanding thereof.

As best seen in FIG. 5, the pivotal joint assembly 28 is shown as comprising a generally cylindrical shaped pivot pin 66 which comprises a shank section 68 defining a uniform diameter annular sidewall 70. One end of the shank section 60 is formed with an enlarged diameter head section 72 which is of a generally frusto conical configuration and defines a tapered or radially inwardly and longitudinally inclined side wall 74. The pivot pin 66 is adapted to be received within a pair of coaxially aligned bores 76 and 78 that are formed in the members 12 and 14, respectively, interjacent the handle sections 16, 18 and cutting jaw sections 20, 22 thereof, as best seen in FIG. 2. The bore 76 is formed with a tapered or frusto conical counterbore 80 which is of a complementary configuration with respect to the head section 72 of the pivot pin 66, such that when the pivot pin 66 is inserted through the bores 76, 78, the outer end of the head section 72 is substantially flush with the outer surface of the handle and jaw member 12. It will be seen that the length of the pivot pin 66 is designed such that when the same is operatively disposed within the bores 76, 78, the end thereof opposite the head section 72 is also flush with the outer side of the member 14, as illustrated.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the pivot pin 66 and bores 76, 78 are dimensioned such that the pivot pin 66 is received within the bore 76 with a sliding or slip-fit, and is received within the bore 78 with a press fit. With this arrangement, the pivot pin 66 is immovably (nonrotatably) secured to the handle on jaw member 14 and is movably (rotatably) secured to the handle and jaw member 12, with the result, that the members 12 and 14 are relatively movable to one another so that the handle sections 16 and 18 thereof may be moved toward and away from one another about the pivotal axis defined by the pivot pin 66 so as to selectively bias the cutting jaw sections 20, 22 to and from an actuated position with the cutting edges 24 and 26 thereof may be applied to effect cutting of a workpiece. The primary feature and advantage of the above described construction resides in the fact that the handle and jaw members 12 and 14, as well as the pivot pin 66, may be heat treated or subjected to a similar hardening operation and thereafter ground or machined to a preselected configuration and surface finish prior to assembly thereof, thus obviating the many difficulties heretofore known and experienced in the prior art, where it has been the practice to heat treat the various component parts subsequent to assembly thereof. As previously men tioned, such heretofore known practices have necessitated time consuming and expensive manufacturing operations for removing the scale and similar contamination that accumulates on the component parts during the heat treating operations, as well as the various operations such as pounding or hammering the component parts in order to break the pivotal joint loose after the heat treating operation.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein in the handle and jaw members 12 and 14 are pivotably connected by a pivot pin 82 which comprises a frustoconical or tapered head section 84 adapted to be received within a complementary shaped tapered counterbore 86 formed in the handle and jaw member 12. The pivot pin 82 comprises a shank section 88 which extends through a pair of aligned bores 90 and 92 formed in the members 12 and 14, respectively, with the shank section 38 comprising axially spaced portions 94 and 96 which are adapted to be received within and aligned with the bores 90 and 92 respectively. The shank portion 94 and bore 90 of the member 12 are dimensioned such that there is a slip or sliding fit therebetween, whereby to provide for relative rotational movement between the member 12 and the pivot pin 82. As best shown in FIG. 7, the shank portion 96 is formed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially outwardly projecting serrations or alternate lands and grooves, generally designated 98, which are complementary to and adapted to be contiguously engaged with similar serrations or lands and grooves, generally designated 100, formed around the periphery of the bore 92 of the handle and jaw member 14. The serrations 98 and 100 are adapted to be press fitted into engagement with one another upon assembly of the pivot pin 82 within the bore 92, whereby the pivot pin 82 is immovably or nonrotatably secured to the member 14 in essentially the same manner as the end of the shank section 68 of the pivot 66 was received within the bore 78.

FIGS. 8 and 12 illustrate two additional alternative, but re lated, embodiments of the present invention, wherein a pivot pin 102, having a shank section 104 and a head section 106, extends through a pair of aligned bores 101*] and 110 in combination handle and jaw members 12 and 14, respectively. The shank section 104 of the pivot pin 102 comprises axially spaced shank portions 112 and 114, the former of which portion 112 is dimensioned so as to be spaced radially inwardly from the inner periphery of the bore 108 in the member 12, thereby providing for a slip or sliding fit between these members. Conversely, the shank portion 114 is slightly larger in diameter than the portion 112 and is designed to engage the inner periphery of the bore 110 in the member 14 with a press fit, whereby to nonrotatably connect the pivot pin 102 to the member 14, similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

I In order to assure that a positive, nonrotatable engagement is provided between the outer periphery of the shank portion 114 and the inner periphery of the bore 110, the end of the pivot pin 102 is formed with a coaxially extending bore or annular recess 116 which is adapted to receive a suitable plug member, generally designated 118. As best seen in FIG. 8, the plug 118 is of a generally cylindrical configuration and is dimensioned so as to be slightly greater in diameter than the diameter of the annular recess 116, whereby when the plug 118 is forced axially into recess 116, the plug 118 causes the adjacent end of the pivot pin 102 to expand radially outwardly into positive and nonrotational engagement with the inner periphery of the bore of the member 14, thus assuring against relative rotational movement between the pin 102 and member 14. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12, the pivot pin 102 is of the same construction as aforedescribed, with the exception of the provision of a radially outwardly extending shoulder 120 which projects therefrom at a position axially aligned with the bore 116 and plug 118. The shoulder 120 is adapted to be received within an axially aligned radially outwardly projecting recess portion 122 formed around the periphery of the bore 110 of the member 14. It will be seen that when the plug 118 is forced axially into the bore 116, the shoulder 120 will frictionally engage the periphery of the recess 122, thereby providing a positive nonrotatable joint between the outer periphery of the adjacent end of the pivot pin 102 and the member 14.

FIG. 11 illustrates still a further embodiment of the present invention wherein the members 12 and 14 are pivotally con nected to one another by means of a pivot pin 124 having a frustoconical or tapered head section 126 and a shank section 128 adapted to extend through aligned bores 130 and 132 formed in the members 12 and 14, respectively. The diameter of the bore 130 is dimensioned such that a slip fit is provided between the inner periphery thereof and the outer periphery of the pivot pin 124. The diameter of the bore 132, on the other hand, is dimensioned so as to receive the adjacent end of the shank section 128 of the pivot pin 124 with a press fit, such that the pivot pin 124 is nonrotatably engaged with the member 14. The end of the shank section 128 opposite the head section 124 is formed with a radially inwardly extending recess 134 which, as shown in FIG. 11, is disposed adjacent the outer side of the member 14. Uponassembly of the pivot pin 124 within the members 12 and 14, the tool 10 is adapted to be subjected to a stamping operation, similar to the operation used in connection with providing the flange portion 60 on the handle sections 16 and 18 for securing the plunger members 40 thereon. Such a stamping operation may be achieved by a suitable annular tool which is adapted to be forced into engagement with the outer surface of the member 14 circumjacent the bore 132 thereby forming an annular groove 136 around the end of the bore 132, with the result that a certain amount of the material from which the member 14 is fabricated will be deformed and flow radially inwardly into the recess 134 of the pivot pin 124 and thus positively nonrotatably secure the pivot 124 to the member 14. It will be apparent, of course, that the recess 134 could be provided around the periphery of the bore 132. and that the aforementioned tool could be used to strike a blow against the end of the pivot pin 124 and thereby cause some of the material of the pivot pin 124 to be deformed radially outwardly into such a recess, and thereby achieve the same result as the above described construction.

FIGS. and 10 illustrate yet two additional embodiments of the present invention wherein the members 12 and 14 are adapted to be pivotably secured to one another by means of a pivot pin, generally designated 138, which extends through axially aligned bores 140 and 142 formed in the members 12 and 14, respectively. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the pivot pin 138 is shown in operative association with a pair of bushing members 144 and 146 which are disposed interjacent the outer periphery on the pivot pin 138 and the inner periphery on the bores 140, 142. In a preferred construction of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the bushing members 144, 146 are fabricated of a prehardened steel, while the pivot pin 138 is fabricated of an unhardened or unheat treated material. The outer end of the bore 142 is formed with a frustoconical counterbore portion 148 which is adapted to receive a radially outwardly flared section 150 formed on the outer end of the bushing member 144, as well as a frustoconical head section 152 formed on the adjacent end of the pivot pin 138. Similarly, the bore 140 is formed with a radially outwardly tapered counterbore 154 which is adapted to nestingly receive the bushing member 146 which is of a frustoconical configuration. The counterbore 154 also is adapted to receive a frustoconical or tapered head section 156 formed at the opposite end of the pivot pin 138 from the head section 152. The bore 140, as well as the pivot pin 138 and bushing members 144, 146, is dimensioned such that a sliding or slip fit is provided between the periphery of the bore 140 and the outer periphery of the bushing members 144 146, whereby to provide for relatively free pivotable movement therebetween. Conversely, the bore 142 and pivot pin 138 and bushing member 144 are dimensioned such that a press or nonrotatable fit is provided between the outer periphery of the bushing member 144 and bore 142, whereby to assure against relative rotational movement therebetween. Upon assembly the members 12 and 14 are oriented such that the bores 140, 142 are axially aligned, whereupon the bushing member 144 is inserted through the bores 142, 144 from the left side of the member 14 in FIG. 9. Thereafter, the pivot pin 138, which in its preassembled form has a shank section, which is longer than the overall width of the members 12 and 14 and is not provided with the head section 156 thereon, is also inserted from the left side of the members 14 and 12 through the annular bore 158 defined by the inner periphery of a bushing member 144. Thereafter, the bushing member 146 is inserted over the end of the pivot pin 138 which has an initial cylindrical shape indicated by the dotted lines in FIG. 9. By virtue of the fact that the pivot pin 138 is of relatively unhardened material, the end of the pin 138 protruding outwardly through the bushing member 146 may be subjected to a suitable stamping or peening operation, whereupon the outwardly flared head section 156 is formed thereon, thereby positively securing the members 12 and 14 to one another.

The construction illustrated in FIG. 10 is substantially the same as that shown and described in connection with FIG. 9, with the exception that the head section 156 of the pivot pin 138 is formed with a central, internally threaded bore 160 which is adapted to threadably receive an externally threaded end section 162 formed on the end of the pivot pin 138 opposite the pivot section 152 thereof. Also, the head section 156 is formed with a diametrically extending screw driver type tool receiving slot 164, with the result that instead of having the end of the pivot pin peened over to form the flared head section 156, as was the case in connection with the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the head section 156 is merely threadably advanced on to the end of the pivot pin 138 upon suitable rotation of the pin 138. It will be seen that in each of the constructions shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, assembly of the combination handle and jaw members 12 and 14 may be achieved subsequent to heat treating and machining thereof, whereby to provide the same desirable characteristics as is provided in the various other embodiments of the present invention shown and described in FIGS. 5 through 8.

It will be seen from the above description that the present invention provides a new and improved pliers like tool which is designed to overcome a large number of disadvantages heretofore known and encountered with similar type tools of the prior art. In particular, the present invention provides a pliers tool which is designed to minimize to the extreme, a large number of handling operations heretofore required for removing scale, and generally making the tool acceptable to the public subsequent to a heat treating operation. Accordingly, the pliers tool of the present invention may be manufactured at a relatively lower cost than has been heretofore been possible with similar type tools. Additionally, the present invention provides a tool which is characterized by a new and improved spring means for normally urging the handle sections thereof to an open position. Such spring means will be found to be a considerable improvement over the prior art since the design of the present invention obviates the possibility of such spring means cocking, falling out or becoming otherwise disengaged from the pliers handle. Also the spring design of the present invention prevents dirt, grease and other undesirable contaminants from accumulating thereon. Ac-

cordingly, the present invention besides'being more economical to manufacture and assemble than similar type tools, will be found to have considerable merchandising appeal from the standpoint of having a durable construction and a long and effective operational life.

I claim:

1. In a pivotal connection for a tool comprising first and second relatively movable lever members, the improvements comprising,

means defining an annular bore in said first lever member,

means defining an annular bore in said second lever member, and

a pivot pin fabricated of an unhardened metallic material and extending through said annular bores,

a relatively hardened bushing member interposed between the outer periphery of said pivot pin and the inner periphery of said bores and cooperable with said pivot pin to pivotably connect said first and second lever members.

said bushing member and said annular bores being dimensioned such that said bushing member is received with a press fit in said bore of said first lever member and with a slip fit in said bore of said second lever member.

2. In a pivotal connection for a tool comprising first and second relatively movable lever members, the improvements comprising,

means defining an annular bore in said first lever member,

means defining an annular bore in said second lever member,

a counterbore formed in one end of said bore in said second lever member,

a pivot pin including a generally cylindrically shaped shank portion and an enlarged diameter head portion,

said pivot pin extending through said annular bores and,

having said head portion nestingly received in said counterbore, whereby to pivotably connect said lever members,

said pivot pin and said bore and counterbore of said second lever member being dimension such that said head portion and'part of said shank portion of said pivot pin are received therewithin with a slip fit, and

means nonrotatably securing the outer periphery of said shank portion of said pivot pin to the inner periphery of said annular bore in said first lever member,

said last mentioned means comprising means movable axially into said annular bore in said first lever member and engageable with a press fit with the periphery thereof to prevent relative rotation between said first lever member and said shank portion of said pivot pin.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein said head portion is flush with the of the outer side of said second lever member when said head portion is received within said counterbore.

4. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein the outer ends of said bores in said first and second lever members are formed with counterbores, wherein said bushing member comprises a radially outwardly flared portion adapted to be received within said counterbores, and wherein said pivot pin comprises frusto conical head sections at the opposite ends thereof adapted to be received within said flared portions of said bushing member.

5. The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein said pivot pin comprises a cylindrical shank section extending between said head sections, and wherein one of said head sections is threadably secured to one end of said shank section.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Q Patent No. 550 Dated M h 1 1972 Walter J. Rozrnus It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 71 insert provide a new and improved pliers -like cutting tool.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to before the word --provide-- Signed and sealed this 8th day of August 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCH1:';R,JR. ROBERT GUTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM PO-1050 (10-69) USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 A U.ST GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE I959 O- -BGB-SJI 

1. In a pivotal connection for a tool comprising first and second relatively movable lever members, the improvements comprising, means defining an annular bore in said first lever member, means defining an annular bore in said second lever member, and a pivot pin fabricated of an unhardened metallic material and extending through said annular bores, a relatively hardened bushing member interposed between the outer periphery of said pivot pin and the inner periphery of said bores and cooperable with said pivot pin to pivotably connect said first and second lever members. said bushing member and said annular bores being dimensioned such that said bushing member is received with a press fit in said bore of said first lever member and with a slip fit in said bore of said second lever member.
 2. In a pivotal connection for a tool comprising first and second relatively movable lever members, the improvements comprising, means defining an annular bore in said first lever member, means defining an annular bore in said second lever member, a counterbore formed In one end of said bore in said second lever member, a pivot pin including a generally cylindrically shaped shank portion and an enlarged diameter head portion, said pivot pin extending through said annular bores and, having said head portion nestingly received in said counterbore, whereby to pivotably connect said lever members, said pivot pin and said bore and counterbore of said second lever member being dimension such that said head portion and part of said shank portion of said pivot pin are received therewithin with a slip fit, and means nonrotatably securing the outer periphery of said shank portion of said pivot pin to the inner periphery of said annular bore in said first lever member, said last mentioned means comprising means movable axially into said annular bore in said first lever member and engageable with a press fit with the periphery thereof to prevent relative rotation between said first lever member and said shank portion of said pivot pin.
 3. The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein said head portion is flush with the outer side of said second lever member when said head portion is received within said counterbore.
 4. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein the outer ends of said bores in said first and second lever members are formed with counterbores, wherein said bushing member comprises a radially outwardly flared portion adapted to be received within said counterbores, and wherein said pivot pin comprises frusto conical head sections at the opposite ends thereof adapted to be received within said flared portions of said bushing member.
 5. The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein said pivot pin comprises a cylindrical shank section extend-ing between said head sections, and wherein one of said head sections is threadably secured to one end of said shank section. 